Some New Hand Dyeing

Hand Dyeing, a photo by Shunklies on Flickr.

Finally got some gorgeous weather, so i've been busy drying my fluff outside.

I love drying outdoors, the fibre gets that little bit extra bounce back and just ends up so squishy.

Getting back to Normalityish

Hand Carded Batt
Originally uploaded by Shunklies

I've been spending the time between Christmas and now trying to get my house back into some sort of order, making the most of the January sales to update my ancient white goods, it was such fun.

But hopefully now I have some time to spare to get back into carding, dyeing, spinning - things that everyday life keep trying to get in the way of.

Todays listings seem to definately have a colour theme, don't you think?

I adore these autumnal shades, they work so well in knitting, giving interest but not glaringly so they take away from any pattern work you may be doing.

I am currently working on a range of Tam style hats, and it was hard to list that chunky yarn, when I know how it would go in one of my hats, I will have to be strong!

Casting off for Christmas

After spending an arm-aching morning clearing snow, only for it to snow some more, I decided to spend this afternoon sorting through my WIP basket and get some knitting done.

I've managed at last, to finish my Upstairs Shawl. I've been knitting it on and off for months, and i'm really pleased to have it finished this side of christmas, as there is a certain someone who has been lusting after it all year, they might find it in their stocking now!

I've just had a lovely message from Russelljewelrydesign over on Etsy, to let me know my yarn had been chosen to be part of the Gallery Blog as it fit the theme of the day, Sapphire Blues.

On visiting the gallery my eye was drawn straight away to the Vintage glass from seller Slovintage

I adore the greens and blues, maybe i'm missing them due to the snow!

Kindle Love

So I got me a Kindle, I hummd' I harrrd' I gave in. I love reading, I love gadgets, and once I read on Ravelry that you could send all your Knitting Patterns as PDFs' to the Kindle For FREE! (i'm easy pleased) I was sold.

So then I needed a case to keep my new toy nice and special, I got a cheap rubbery one, but wanted something nice. I collect nice books, and I feel the Kindle needs something to make you feel like your holding something treasure-like in your hands as you read.

Then I came across TinderBloom on Etsy, and fell in love.

I've ordered this Kindle Case, I love the fact that it will be personalised to me, and I adore peacocks, so it just had to be mine, I can't wait to recieve it.

Spinning Today

I must have watched every news programme today, and even I'm getting sick of seeing snow.

Unfortunately it is still snowing, so I guess i'd better get used to it, it's pretty deep here now, this is my sundial in the garden, not much use at the moment

Being kept indoors does have it's benefits, not just having the time to paint my nails, but more substantial work, like catching up on some of my spinning and knitting!

I got a few more rows of my Upstairs shawl knit this morning, i'm not going to do too many more repeats, as I want it to be in proportion once i've blocked it, I love Zauberball lace, I am a glutten for colour

I am using an Addi Lace circular, i'm finding the ends are tarnishing and have a metallic smell to them, is this normal? or have I been duped and bought black market knitting needles? - I don't want the knitting police knocking my door down.

I got the E-Spinner out this afternoon, and spun up some hand dyed BFL, I decided to card the combed top first, to get the heather shades to blend and create a more woollen yarn, it has come out very nice, i'll get a photo of the finished yarn once it's set and dry.

Snow & Brownies

So the snow is still falling as I type, I am not one who gets excited by snow, having lived in Yorkshire all my life it's no rarity, but this time it is earlier than usual and has caused quite a bit of disruption, that is, disruption to those who have had to venture out.

I chose to stay home instead, and get a little sorting done in my workpile. I have a mountain of yarn and wool to photograph and keep putting it off, I don't know why, I enjoy it once I get in the swing, and today was a good day to do it, heating on, lighting giving the pretence of sunlight, staying out of DS way as he has a GTA marathon downstairs.

I did make up for my dissapearing act later by baking brownies, what better way to spend a snow filled evening.


Here's a little sample of todays photo's, tomorrow I may venture out and get some snow shots, see if I can get Iggy to pose out in the frost for me (he hasn't left the quilt on the sofa since 10am).

Yesterday I finished my Traveling Light Shawl -  Pattern by Suzy Crancer I really enjoyed knitting this shawl, it was pretty quick, I have added more repeats, and it is waiting to be blocked, so photo's will follow soon.